Vacuum-cleaner device



' Dec. 15,1925

s. MCCLATCHIE VACUUM CLEANER DEVICE Filed May '7; 1924 Pz'g Patented Dec. 1.5, 1925. Y

'UNITE-D STATES .PATENT l.orafl'ct:. f

STANLEY MCGLATCHIE, 0F STUTTGART, GERMANY.

VACUUM-CLEANER DEVICE.

'Bpp'lcation filed May '7, 1924. Serial No. 711,610.

conduit, thusapprising him asy to 'the extent to which the cleaning operation yhas proceeded. Vhile it has 'been vproposed-to employ visual indicating means for this purpose, such `devices have vusually proven inadequate for the purpose in view since the glass or other transparent medium becomes fouled and clouded so quickly as to render it useless. Among the objects vof the'present invention is the provision of simple and efficient means for indicating the passage of dust or dirt through the cleaner which shall be of such a character that its indications shall be reliable even after long use and which shall be capable of indicating the passage of even minute particles of solid matter; the provision of an indicating device for the purpose in question which shall be free from fouling, breakage or other deterioration; the provision ofl an indicating device for the purposev described wherein the passage of dust or dirt through the suction conduit will produce audible sounds; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings accompanying and form-l ing a -part ofk this application I have shown one physical form in which myimprovements may be embodied, though it will be understood that these are intended to be merely illustrative of the principles of my invention and not to be exhaustive of physical constructions.' Fig. 1 is a side elevation illustrating the application of my improvements to use with a floor nozzle and suction hose; Fig. 2 isa longitudinal vertical sectional view through the dust indicator and associated parts shown in Fig. '1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary/detail view to enlarged scale illustrating one means for tensioning the diaphragm.

l'Inthese drawings Ihaveshown'a ioor cleaning nozzle 1 'of the usualkor any suit. able tyge'carried by the'end offa rigid (tube 2 vand connected to a suitable suction hose 3 00 which leads from any suitable suction producing device (not shown). For joining 'the'tube and hose I vhave illustrated a 'conlnecto'r device 4 Acomprising. a pair of angu- 'larly f "disposed r and divergent 'tubular' memf 65 bcrs 45, 6, defining angularly disposed pasf sageways 7 aindS.4 I have shownthe mem- 'ber 6 as provided withia nipple 10`for the attachment of the hose 3, although'anysuitable arrangement can be' employed; and I 70 have `also shown the outer end of the mem- 'ber 5y as provided-with 'a transverse elonlgated'ino'zzle casing 11 terminating l1n de- -p'endln-g' llps 13 defimnga-long and narrow suction mouth whose llps lare further provided with'flexible margins 14, and whose throat is made round and slightly tapered as at 15 for the snug reception of the tube 2, enabling the instantaneous separation or connection of the parts thus providing either a short nozzle for upholstery or along nozzle for floors and draperies; although it will be understood that this is a feature which may or may not be employed in connectionI with my improved indicator.

At the upper portion of the connector device 4 and preferably in the top of the member 6 adjacent the junction of the latter with the member 5, that is to say, at a point at the outside of the angle formed between the passageways 7 and 8 there is provided an opening which is externally screw threaded as at 18. This opening provides an annular flange 19 for supporting the edges of a circular diaphra 20. This diaphragm is preferably of some thin and resonant material, such for example vas spring steel. For retaining the diaphragm in position upon the flange 19, a ring 21 is provided, such ring being screw threaded 10 upon its peripheral surface for engagement with the screw threads 18 and being knurled at its edge as indicated at 22 for ease of manipulation.l This ring is provided with a central opening 21a giving access tothe 105 upper surface of the diaphragm and is pref,- erably provided at a point y'inwardly ofthe edge of the flange 19 with an annular' rib or bead 23. When the ring 21 is screwedV into engagement with the upper surface of vthe diaphragm7 the rib 23 engages the dia-V phragm andserves to tension the latter in- Wardly of the seat formed by the flange 19. rIhe resonant qualities of' the diaphragm may thus be substantially increased.

During the operation o'f the device, Whether with or Without the extension tube 2, the current of air flowing through the passage is caused to impinge upon the inner surface ot' the diaphragm 20, such action being accentuated by reason of the location of such diaphragm at the outer side oi the angle formed in the passage. The particles ot dust or dirt carried by the air current strike this diaphragm producing an audible sound whereby the operator is able to deter'- mine as to the passage of such particles and with a little practice to estimate very closely as to the relative quantity of such particles passing. It is thus possible to determine Whether the suction apparatus is functioning properly and when the dirt has been removed to the desired extent from the article being cleaned.

`While I have here shown my improved indicator as used in connection with a particular kind of connecting device, it Will be understood that the same is not limited to use in this relation since it is immaterial to the present invention Whether the short noz- Zle or the long nozzle be employed or Whether it be used With a flexible hose, or some other type ot cleaner since it might equally Well be mounted at any desired point in a suction conduit of any suitable or desired type; and that While certain materials and certain relations ot parts have been mentioned as desirable and useful, the same are intended to be merely illustrative and I do not limit `myself in any Wise except as set forth in my several claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

l. In combination. with a cleaning apparatus having a passage for air mingled With solid particles, a member arranged for impingement by said particles whereby audibly to indicate their presence.

2. A cleaning apparatus having a passage for air mingled With solid particles, and a diaphragm positioned for impingement by said particles whereby audibly to indicate their passage.

In testimony Whereot'7 I hereunto ai'iix my signature.

STANLEY MCCLATCHIE. 

